B NDINGS Volume 27, No. 4 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2007 Bishop says gays welcomed at church Kicanas asks parishioners to help diocese reach out By Stephanie Innes daughters and sons.” Action promotes mes- the state’s three bishops Arizona Daily Star So far he said he’s heard about 10 com- sages that go against publicly supported a pro- May 27, 2007 ments, generally thanking him for reflect- church teaching, he posed state constitutional ing on the issue. said. The group holds amendment that would Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas says he wants “More needs to be done,” Kicanas said forums exploring top- have banned gay mar- homosexual worshippers to know they are in an interview Friday. “It’s a difficult area. ics such as optional riage and also barred welcome in his Roman Catholic Diocese of Obviously, programs are not as important celibacy for priests governments from giving Tucson. as communication with people.” and allowing women benefits to employees’ Kicanas writes in this month’s edition Critics said Kicanas ostracized gays and into the priesthood. domestic partners. of The New Vision, the diocese’s newspa- lesbians earlier this year when he decided And Kicanas said Kicanas said several per: “I am very sensitive to the concerns I not to extend an invitation to retired Detroit it wasn’t so much the people personally shared have heard from people of same-sex orien- bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton to speak about Gumbleton contro- their concerns over the tation that they feel they have no place in homosexuality as part of a program spon- versy that prompted bishops’ stance with him. our parishes or in the household of faith. sored by the local lay Catholic group Call his current article Saying she is “pleas- “We need to consider how we as a dio- to Action. Call to Action members sent about homosexuality antly surprised” at cese or how I as bishop may be generating Kicanas a letter of protest signed by 129 in The New Vision, but Kicanas’ efforts to reach such misunderstanding.” people, including 14 nuns. rather ongoing feed- out to the gay and lesbian Bishop Gerald Kicanas Kicanas, who oversees 350,000 Catho- All along, Kicanas maintained that the back from parishioners community, Call to Ac- lics in nine counties and holds the high-rank- problem wasn’t Gumbleton or the subject about the church’s position on homosexuals tion vice president Laurie Olson said she ing executive position of secretary to the matter of his talk. Gumbleton wasn’t wel- and same-sex relationships. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is ask- comed by the local diocese because Call to That feedback intensified last year when KICANAS continued on page 6 ing parishioners to help the diocese figure out how to better serve the gay and lesbian Catholic population. He said part of his impetus for reach- Finding a Way ing out was criticism he heard after he and Some criticize the Church for being harsh, body made up of priests who represent the Arizona’s other two bishops publicly sup- By Bishop Gerald Kicanas The New Vision insensitive, unfair and discriminatory to different regions in our Diocese and key ported a proposed ban on gay marriage last people of same sex orientation. Others say priest advisors). We discussed how we year. Diocese of Tucson, AZ May 2007 the Church and its bishops are “too tolerant might reach out pastorally to Catholics in Among the ideas he has heard in early of gays.” our parishes who are gay and to parents discussions is having a parish where gay and Today in our society, homosexuality I, too, encounter this broad range of and family members who struggle with lesbian Catholics could worship in an “ac- is out of the shadows, where it was simply thoughts and feelings. I have met persons accepting and loving their sons and daugh- cepting environment that would help them not talked about, and is a significant soci- who fear the Church is marginalizing gay ters who have disclosed their orientation. live faithfully as Catholics.” etal issue that calls for moral reflection and persons, driving them away from the Church The consensus of our discussion was “I will continue to explore ways that our dialogue. On this topic, Catholics, like and making them targets for contempt and this: Ministry to homosexual persons is diocese can make clear to our Catholic others in our society, span a continuum even violence. I have met others who call best accomplished at the parish through people the consistent teaching of the Church from being condoning and accepting, un- for a clear denunciation and repudiation by spiritual direction and the sacrament of that ‘the Good News of Jesus Christ is for derstanding and compassionate, to mean the Church of people of same sex orienta- Reconciliation. all people,’” Kicanas wrote, “that each per- spirited and hateful. tion. “I am very sensitive to the concerns I son is created by God out of love and is This continuum exists as well when it Several years ago, I talked about min- have heard from people of same sex ori- therefore deserving to be treated with respect comes to opinions about the Catholic istry to homosexual persons with our entation that they feel they have no place and dignity, and that there are no gradations Church’s teaching on homosexuality. Presbyteral Council (a primary consultative WAY continued on page 6 within God’s family: All are his beloved Sister Paula Brettkelly: embracing the despised GayNZ.com June 13, 2007 assist us would be turned down. It wasn’t. honours list for her anti-discrimination and Switchboard in Wellington had to find — And as the months passed by she says HIV rights advocacy. Her nomination was immediately — accommodation for a fif- Sister Paula Brettkelly freely admits she came to understand the gay men and les- heartily endorsed by the NZ AIDS Founda- teen year old gay boy. He’d been getting that, when she initially bians she helped and tion, and by gay and lesbian organisations hell, and had run away from home in the stepped forward to help worked alongside. “The and individuals including MP and cabinet South Island. Paula took him in for several fight against the most humbling and im- minister Chris Carter. days until we got it sorted. That’s pretty typi- stigmatisation of people pressive thing to me was In its supporting letter the NZAF’s ex- cal. She’s there, and if she can, she’ll help.” with HIV and gays and the immediate tolerance ecutive director, Rachael Le Mesurier, noted Logan believes Brettkelly showed lesbians, she had been and acceptance by the that “Sister Paula has been a steady and con- courage in turning away from those teach- brought up to “despise” AIDS community. They sistent voice of reason and compassion in ings of her church that define glbt people us. didn’t put up barriers, and for the Foundation... we still continue as sinners and finding her own understand- Although she was to they didn’t have the to be inspired by her personal generosity and ing. “For a Roman Catholic sister to align become one of the most preudices, so why unflinching commitment to our mission of herself with us must take a certain courage. potent not-so-secret should I.” Brettkelly reducing the transmission of HIV and sup- For over twenty years she’s advocated for weapons in late 1980s overcame her distaste porting people living with HIV and AIDS us, with a quiet clear voice, a fine tactical and early 90s fights for for homosexuals and her to maximise their health and well-being.” In sense, and a passionate sense of humanity fair treatment of people fear of HIV. 2005 the Foundation acknowledged her with and justice.” And when a gay-rights project with HIV (mostly gay In a word, the twin- a Life Membership. has needed the kind of mana that can be men) and equality in law Sr. Paula Brettkelly kling-eyed nun ‘bonded’ Wellington-based gay rights activist and bestowed by a committed and respected for homosexuals, Brettkelly’s Roman Catho- with her new gay and lesbian friends, to the counsellor Bill Logan remembers an ex- nun, Logan says Brettkelly has regularly lic religious upbringing and education had point where she has just been awarded the ample of Brettkelly’s willingness to go the obliged. “ When we’ve needed respectabil- taught her that we are sinners, to the extent prestigous Member of the New Zealand extra mile for gays in need. “At nine thirty ity, she’s always been willing to lend hers,” that she initially “half-hoped” her offer to Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday one evening about fifteen years ago the Gay he says. l Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 27, No. 4 B NDINGS New guidelines issued for Summer 2007 Vol. 27, No. 4 ministering to GLBT Catholics Francis DeBernardo, Editor In Newsweekly see more and more Catholic groups, large and small, articu- Board of Directors By Chuck Colbert Mary Byers July 19, 2007 lating their own vision of community, pastoral practice, and Frank O’Donnell, SM ethics.” Duddy-Burke, of Boston, said the local Dignity Rev. Paul Thomas Dignity/USA, the nation’s largest and oldest faith com- chapter was active in the process, establishing a study group munity for GLBT Catholics, while meeting in convention and holding a “listening night” where individuals could of- Board of Advisors July 5 - 8 in Austin, Texas, issued new guidelines for pasto- fer their perspectives. Mary Ann Coyle, SL ral care of people.